Device for processing photographic material

ABSTRACT

A device for processing photographic material wherein a processing chamber, including a peripheral wall and a solution ingress and egress opening in the wall, is supported for movement between processing solution receiving and draining positions. In such receiving position, the chamber is disposed so that the opening aligns with a processing solution applicator for introducing processing solution into the chamber and the wall closes off a processing solution drain. Moveover, in such draining position, the chamber is disposed so that the opening aligns with the drain to remove processing solution from the chamber and the wall closes off the applicator. The chamber is adapted to receive a support on which photographic material is secured; whereupon, processing solution in the chamber is applied to such material. Upon movement of the support within the chamber, the processing solution is agitated to facilitate processing of the photographic material.

United States Patent 91 Morse [451 Apr. 24, 1973 [75] Inventor: John Edwin Morse, Penfield, N.Y.

Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Assistant ExaminerRichard'M. Sheer Att0rneyW. H. J. Kline et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A device for processing photographic material wherein a processing chamber, including a peripheral wall and a solution ingress and egress opening in the wall, is supported for movement between processing solution receiving .and draining positions. In such receiving position, the chamber is disposed so that the opening aligns with a processing solution applicator for introducing processing solution into the chamber and the wall closes off a processing solution drain. Moveover, in such draining position, the chamber is disposed so that the opening aligns with the drain to remove processing solution from the chamber and the wall closes off the applicator. The chamber is adapted to receive a support on which photographic material is secured; whereupon, processing solution in the chamber is applied to such material. Upon movement of the support within the chamber, the processing solution is agitated to facilitate processing of the photographic material.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Pmmmmmz uun JOHN E. MORSE- mvENToR;

. TTORNEYSH DEVICE FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to fluid-treating apparatus and, more particularly, to a device for processing photographic material by applying processing fluid to such material.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are many occasions, as for example in a home environment, when an amateur or professional photographer desires simple and inexpensive equipment for processing photographic material to an acceptable quality. This is in contrast to instances requiring more costly, sophisticated photographic processing apparatus. A large number of uncomplicated and efficient devices have heretofore been conceived to accomplish the photographic processing operation. One variation of this kind of equipment which is generally known includes a photographic material support, such as a reel which is adapted to support the convolutions of a wound filmstrip in spaced relation, and a light-tight processing chamber for receiving the photographic material support along with a predetermined quantity of processing solution. When the support, with the photographic material, and the processing solution are received in the .chamber, processing of the photographic material will be effected upon immersion thereof in the processing solution.

To facilitate processing of the photographic material during the period of such immersion, either the chamber or the support is moved relative to the other in a manner which agitates the processing solution. Proper agitation of the solution makes for uniformity in processing by preventing any settling of the chemicals utilized and by removing air bubbles or the like from the surface of photographic material being processed.

A typical processing operation for converting the latent image on exposed photographic material to a visible image comprises the steps of successively immersing such material in a developing solution, a fixing solution and a washing solution. It will therefore be appreciated that the inclusion in the foregoing equipment of means by which the several processing solutions can be rapidly introduced into and drained from the chamber, in succession, would have obvious advantage. Moreover, this would be further enhancing, if such means were capable of supplying a measured or regulated amount of each of the several processing solutions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION which affords a preferred degree of agitation of such fluid.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed hereinafter a device for processing photographic material wherein a processing chamber, including a peripheral wall and a solution ingress and egress opening in the wall, is supported for movement between processing solution receiving and draining positions. In such receiving position. the chamber is disposed so that the opening aligns with a processing solution applicator for introducing a regulated amount of processing solution into the chamber and the wall closes off a processing solution drain. Moreover, in such draining position, the chamber is disposed so that the opening aligns with the drain to remove processing solution from the chamber and the wall closes off the applicator. The chamber is adapted to receive a support on which photographic material, such as an exposed filmstrip, is removably secured; whereupon, processing solution in the chamber is applied to such material. Upon movement of the support within the chamber, processing solution in the chamber is agitated to facilitate processing of the photographic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of such invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a device for processing photographic material according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing filmstrip support and processing chamber members of such device separated from each other for clarity purposes;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are cross-section views of the device illustrated in FIG. 1, respectively showing such device in a first processing solution introducing position, a processing solution draining position and a second processing solution introducing position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a photographic processing device, generally indicated by the reference number 1. For clarity purposes, the device 1 will be considered and described in terms of three components; namely, a base 2, a processing chamber 3 which is rotatably supported by the base, and a photographic material support 4 which is adapted to be received within the processing chamber.

The base 2 preferably is of a unitary construction, formed from a material which is known to be impervious to ordinary photographic processing chemicals, and includes first and second processing solution containers 5 and 6 which are disposed in spaced relation and a drain conduit 7 which is located between such containers (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The processing chamber 3 may be formed from the same material as is the base 2 and comprises a hollow cylinder 8 including opposed, open ends 9 and 10 and a curved, peripheral wall 11. As viewed in FIG. 1, the processing cylinder 8 is supported between opposed end walls 12 and 13 of the base 2 for rotation about a horizontally disposed longitudinal axis X-X. This support of the processing cylinder 8 is effected by curved side walls 14 and 15 of tainer side walls 14 and 15 and the base guide surfaces 16 and 17 are curved to conform with the curvature of the cylinder wall 11, in order to facilitate rotation of the processing chamber 8 relative to the base 2. Moreover, to prevent light from entering the interior of the processing cylinder 8 at the open cylinder ends 9 and 10, base end walls 12 and 13 include shoulder members 18 and 19 which respectively interlock with complementary-shaped shoulder members 20 and 21 of the processing cylinder.

The base guide surfaces 16 and 17 serve to interconnect bottom walls 22 and 23 of the first and second containers 5 and 6 with a solution ingress opening 24 of the drain conduit 7, as shown in FIG. 2. Also, as viewed in FIG. 2, the base 2 supports the first and second containers 5 and 6 at respective elevations which are higher than the elevation at which the base supports the drain opening 24. Accordingly, if any processing solution was to flow from either one of the first and second containers 5 and 6, via solution egress openings 25 and 26 in the first and second container side walls 14 and 15, and between the cylinder wall 11 and a respective one of the base guide surfaces 16 and 17, such solution would flow into the drain conduit 7. In this way, a safeguard is provided whereby any undesired leakage of processing solution from the first and second containers 5 and 6 will readily be directed into the drain conduit 7 (rather than flowing into the interior of the processing cylinder 8 and possibly affecting the processing operation in an unintentioned manner). However, to minimize the chance of such leakage of processing solution, there is provided in recesses 27 and 28 of the base guide surfaces 16 and 17, gaskets 29 and 30. These gaskets 29 and 30 are constructed of a material which is known to be impervious to ordinary photographic processing chemicals and are finished so as not to significantly impede rotation of the processing cylinder 8 about the axis XX and relative to the base 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the photographic material support 4 includes a hollow closed drum 31 which is adapted to be inserted into the processing cylinder 8, via the open cylinder end 9, after passage through a threaded opening 32 in the base end wall 12. The drum 3] may be formed from the same material as is the base 2 and the processing chamber 3. When inserted into the processing cylinder 8, the drum 31 is intended to be supported by the base 2 for rotation about the axis X- X and relative to the processing cylinder. This support of the drum 31 is effected by a drum pin member 33, upon receipt of such member in a bearing recess 34 which is disposed in the base end wall 13. Moreover, this support is further effected by an end cap 35 of the photographic material support 4, which is threaded to interlock with the threaded opening 32 in the base end wall 12. The interlocking of the threaded end cap 35 and the threaded opening 32 serves as a light-trap which prevents light from entering the interior of the processing cylinder 8 via the last-mentioned opening and the open cylinder end 9. Since the drum 31 is rigidly joined to a handle 36 by an interconnecting pin 37 which extends through a light-tight bearing opening 38 in the end cap 35, such handle can be used to manually rotate the drum within the processing cylinder 8.

Considering now a typical sequence of operation for the photographic processing device 1, there is shown in FiG. 1 an exposed filmstrip 39 which is wound, with the emulsion side 40 disposed outwardly, spirally about a peripheral surface 41 of the drum 31. Appropriate clamp mechanisms 42 and 43 serve to secure the opposite ends of the filmstrip 39 to the drum surface 41. Preferably, a spiral track or recess 44 is formed in the drum surface 41 to receive and further secure the filmstrip 39 in the illustrated spiral configuration. After the filmstrip 39 is wound onto and secured to the drum surface 41, the drum 31 is inserted into the processing cylinder 8 and supported for rotation about the axis XX as previously described.

As viewed in FIG. 2, the processing cylinder 8 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, generally indicated by arrow 45, until a handle member 46 of the processing cylinder abuts against a stop 47 which extends from the second container side wall 15. At this time, the processing cylinder 8 is disposed in a first processing solution introducing or receiving position, wherein a solution ingress and egress opening 48 in the cylinder wall 11 is aligned or in registration with the opening 25 in the first container side wall 14 and the cylinder wall closes off the drain opening 24 and the opening 26 in the second container side wall 15. Since a predetermined quantity of first processing solution, such as a developer solution 49, has been previously placed in the first container 5, the developer solution will flow into the processing cylinder 8 via the first container side wall opening 25 and the cylinder opening 48. To place the developer solution 49 in the first container 5, a lid 50 of such container is temporarily removed. Upon rotation of the drum 31, by turning the drum handle 36, the developer solution 49 in the processing cylinder 8 will be agitated and the entire emulsion surface 40 of the exposed filmstrip 39 will be wetted for processing.

After the required time for processing of the exposed filmstrip 39, by the application thereto of developer solution 49, has elapsed, the processing cylinder 8 is rotated in a clockwise direction, generally indicated by arrow 51, to a processing solution draining position, as shown in FIG. 3. In such draining position, the cylinder opening 48 is aligned or in registration with the drain opening 24, for removing the developer solution 49 from the processing cylinder 8 in a vertical direction which is generally indicated by arrow 52, and the cylinder wall 11 closes off the first and second container side wall openings 25 and 26.

After the developer solution 49 has been removed from the processing cylinder 8 via the drain conduit 7,.

such cylinder is further rotated in a clockwise direction, generally indicated by arrow 53, until the cylinder handle 46 abuts against a stop 54 which extends from the first container side wall 14 (see FIG. 4). At this time, the processing cylinder 8 is disposed in a second processing solution introducing or receiving position, wherein the cylinder opening 48 is aligned or in registration with the opening 26 in the second container side wall 15 and the cylinder wall 11 closes off the drain opening 24 and the opening 25 in the first container side wall 14. Since a predetermined amount of second processing solution, such as a fixer solution 55, has been previously placed in the second container 6, the fixer solution will flow into the processing cylinder 8 via the second container side wall opening 26 and the cylinder opening 48. To place the fixer solution 55 on the second container 6, a lid 56 of such container is temporarily removed. Upon rotation of the drum 31, by turning the drum handle 36, the fixer solution 55 in the processing chamber 8 will be agitated and the entire emulsion side 40 of the exposed filmstrip 39 will be wetted for further processing.

After the required time for processing of the exposed filmstrip 39, by the application thereto of fixer solution 55, has elapsed, the processing cylinder 8 is rotated once again to the processing solution draining position, as shown in FIG. 3, and the fixer solution is removed from the processing cylinder via the drain conduit 7. Since the first container 5 was emptied of the developer solution 49, earlier in this processing operation, a predetermined amount of third processing solution, such as a washer solution (not shown), may be placed in the first container while the fixer solution 55 is agitated and applied to the exposed filmstrip 39 in the manner described hereinbefore. Accordingly, after draining of the fixer solution 55 from the processing cylinder 8, the processing cylinder may be rotated once again to the solution introducing or receiving position shown in FIG. 2 so that the washer solution will flow into the processing cylinder. Thereafter, the washer solution may be agitated and applied to the emulsion side 40 of the exposed filmstrip 39 upon rotation of the drum 31. It will therefore be appreciated that the foregoing processing operation may be continued for as many different processing solutions as is required to satisfy such operation. When the processing operation for the exposed filmstrip 39 has been completed, the drum 31 can be removed from the processing cylinder 8 and the filmstrip can, in turn, be removed from the drum.

Although not specifically illustrated herein, the drum 31 may be adapted to contain a conventional heating device, should the operator wish to maintain processing solution in the processing cylinder 8 at an exact constant temperature. Moreover, the first and second containers 5 and 6 can be adapted to include appropriate heating devices for similar purposes.

There has now been described, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a simple and efficient device for processingphotographic material including means by which several processing fluids can be rapidly, successively introduced into and exhausted from such device. It will be appreciated, further, that the processing device as described above makes maximum efficient use of processing fluid and affords a preferred degree of agitation of such fluid.

The present invention has been described in considerable detail with particular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of such invention.

lclaim:

l. A device for processing photographic material by applying first and second processing solutions successively to such material, said device comprising:

first processing solution introducing means;

second processing solution introducing means; processing solution draining means; means for supporting said first and second processing solution introducing means and said processing 5 soiution draining means in spaced relation adjacent a curvilinear path, with said processing solution draining means disposed between said first and second processing solution introducing means; means defining a processing chamber; said processing chamber defining means having a longitudinal axis and including a curved peripheral wall which is disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and generally conforms in curvature to said curvilinear path; means defining a processing solution ingress and egress opening in said peripheral wall; means for supporting said processing chamber defining means for rotation in opposite directions about said longitudinal axis in a manner such that said peripheral wall is movable generally along said curvilinear path and said processing chamber defining means is rotatable, from a processing solution draining position wherein said processing solution ingress and egress opening is disposed in registration with said processing solution draining means and said peripheral wall closes off said first and second processing solution introducing means, in a first of said opposite directions, to a first processing solution receiving position wherein said processing solution ingress and egress opening is disposed in registration with said first processing solution introducing means and said peripheral wall closes off said processing solution draining means and said second processing solution introducing means, and in a second of said opposite directions, to a second processing solution receiving position wherein said processing solution ingress and egress opening is disposed in registration with said second processing solution introducing means and said peripheral wall closes off said processing solution draining means and said first processing solution introducing means; a photographic material support adapted to be received within said processing chamber; and means for supporting said photographic material support for movement within said processing chamber to provide agitation to processing solution in said processing chamber. 2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first processing solution introducing means includes a first container for a first processing solution;

said second processing solution introducing means for a second said drain conduit in a manner such that any processing solution flowing from said first and second containers between said peripheral wall of said processing chamber and said interconnecting means will flow along said curvilinear path and cylinder being supported on said surface for rotational movement in each of two opposite directions about said longitudinal axis, said curved surface having three spaced openings which communicate with said first and second containers and into said drain conduit.

3. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

cooperating means, disposed on said processing chamber defining means and said first and second processing solution introducing means, for 10 preventing further rotation of said processing chamber defining means in said first direction when said processing chamber defining means is in said first processing solution receiving position and for preventing further rotation of said processing chamber defining means in said second direction when said processing chamber defining means is in said second processing solution receiving position.

4. A device for processing photographic material by applying first and second processing solutions succes- 2O sively to such material, said device comprising:

a hollow cylinder having a longitudinal axis and defining a processing chamber, said cylinder including a curved peripheral wall having an opening through which processing solution can be furnished to and removed from said chamber;

said conduit, respectively, and which are disposed with respect to said opening in said cylinder wall for alignment with said opening in said cylinder wall by rotation of said cylinder in said opposite directions to selectively place said processing chamber in fluid communication with one of said first and second containers and said conduit as a function of the rotational position of said cylinder relative to said surface;

a drum mounted for rotation within said cylinder and having an outer surface for supporting photographic material; and

means for rotating said drum within said cylinder.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 further comprising two spaced stops carried by said base, and means projecting from said wall of said cylinder and engageable with said stops to limit rotational movement of said cylinder relative to said base, said projecting means being engaged with one of said stops when said opening in said cylinder is aligned with one of said openings in a base. said curved surface and said projecting means being enmeans on said'base defining (a) first and Second gaged with the other ofsaid stops when said opening in processing Solution containers and (b) a said cylinder is aligned with a second one of said processing solution drain conduit; openmgs m curved surface a curved surface on a portion of said base, said 

1. A device for processing photographic material by applying first and second processing solutions successively to such material, said device comprising: first processing solution introducing means; second processing solution introducing means; processing solution draining means; means for supporting said first and second processing solution introducing means and said processing solution draining means in spaced relation adjacent a curvilinear path, with said processing solution draining means disposed between said first and second processing solution introducing means; means defining a processing chamber; said processing chamber defining means having a longitudinal axis and including a curved peripheral wall which is disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and generally conforms in curvature to said curvilinear path; means defining a processing solution ingress and egress opening in said peripheral wall; means for supporting said processing chamber defining means for rotation in opposite directions about said longitudinal axis in a manner such that said peripheral wall is movable generally along said curvilinear path and said processing chamber defining means is rotatable, from a processing solution draining position wherein said processing solution ingress and egress opening is disposed in registration with said processing solution draining means and said peripheral wall closes off said first and second processing solution introducing means, in a first of said opposite directions, to a first processing solution receiving position wherein said processing solution ingress and egress opening is disposed in registration with said first processing solution introducing means and said peripheral wall closes off said processing solution draining means and said second processing solution introducing means, and in a second of said opposite directions, to a second processing solution receiving position wherein said processing solution ingress and egress opening is disposed in registration with said second processing solution introducing means and said peripheral wall closes off said processing solution draining means and said first processing solution introducing means; a photographic material support adapted to be received within said processing chamber; and means for supporting said photogrAphic material support for movement within said processing chamber to provide agitation to processing solution in said processing chamber.
 2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first processing solution introducing means includes a first container for a first processing solution; said second processing solution introducing means includes a second container for a second processing solution; said processing solution draining means includes a drain conduit; and said means for supporting said first and second processing solution introducing means and said processing solution draining means comprises means for (a) supporting said first and second containers at substantially the same elevation and (b) supporting said drain conduit generally midway between said first and second containers and at an elevation which is lower than the elevation of said first and second containers, and for separately interconnecting said first and second containers with said drain conduit in a manner such that any processing solution flowing from said first and second containers between said peripheral wall of said processing chamber and said interconnecting means will flow along said curvilinear path and into said drain conduit.
 3. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising: cooperating means, disposed on said processing chamber defining means and said first and second processing solution introducing means, for preventing further rotation of said processing chamber defining means in said first direction when said processing chamber defining means is in said first processing solution receiving position and for preventing further rotation of said processing chamber defining means in said second direction when said processing chamber defining means is in said second processing solution receiving position.
 4. A device for processing photographic material by applying first and second processing solutions successively to such material, said device comprising: a hollow cylinder having a longitudinal axis and defining a processing chamber, said cylinder including a curved peripheral wall having an opening through which processing solution can be furnished to and removed from said chamber; a base; means on said base defining (a) first and second processing solution containers and (b) a processing solution drain conduit; a curved surface on a portion of said base, said cylinder being supported on said surface for rotational movement in each of two opposite directions about said longitudinal axis, said curved surface having three spaced openings which communicate with said first and second containers and said conduit, respectively, and which are disposed with respect to said opening in said cylinder wall for alignment with said opening in said cylinder wall by rotation of said cylinder in said opposite directions to selectively place said processing chamber in fluid communication with one of said first and second containers and said conduit as a function of the rotational position of said cylinder relative to said surface; a drum mounted for rotation within said cylinder and having an outer surface for supporting photographic material; and means for rotating said drum within said cylinder.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 4 further comprising two spaced stops carried by said base, and means projecting from said wall of said cylinder and engageable with said stops to limit rotational movement of said cylinder relative to said base, said projecting means being engaged with one of said stops when said opening in said cylinder is aligned with one of said openings in said curved surface and said projecting means being engaged with the other of said stops when said opening in said cylinder is aligned with a second one of said openings in said curved surface. 